QR codes have become incredibly popular in recent years as a quick and easy way to share information. By scanning a QR code with your smartphone camera, you can instantly open a website, add a contact, or view text or images. QR codes are common on business cards, advertisements, products, and more as a way to bridge the digital and physical worlds.
Creating a QR code is simple if you have a smartphone – just use one of the many free QR code reader apps available. But what if you don’t have a smartphone or don’t want to download an app? Fortunately, there are many free online QR code generators that allow you to easily create QR codes through your desktop or laptop browser.
What is a QR Code?
QR code stands for “quick response code.” QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be read by smartphone cameras. The black and white pixel pattern of a QR code is machine-readable and encodes information such as website URLs, text, phone numbers, emails, and more.
QR codes were originally invented in 1994 by the Japanese company Denso Wave to track inventory in vehicle manufacturing. However, QR codes have since grown enormously in popularity and use due to the rapid adoption of smartphones. Today, QR codes are ubiquitous across commercial and personal applications.
When scanned by a smartphone camera, the smartphone’s QR code reader app or built-in scanner interprets the QR code using the phone’s camera and instantly performs an action based on the encoded information. This makes QR codes a quick and convenient way to share information between the digital and physical worlds.
Benefits of QR Codes
Here are some of the key benefits that make QR codes so useful:
- Convenience – Users can instantly access digital information by scanning a QR code, without needing to type in a URL or search for something.
- Speed – QR code scanning is very fast, happening practically instantly.
- Versatile – QR codes can encode many different types of information, including URLs, text, PDFs, contact info, WiFi passwords, and more.
- Trackable – You can generate QR codes that allow you to track scans and collect data.
- Secure – QR codes can encrypt sensitive information that is only revealed to authorized scanners.
How Do You Read a QR Code?
Reading a QR code requires you to have three things:
- A smartphone or tablet with a camera
- A QR code scanning app or built-in scanner
- The QR code itself
Most modern smartphones are equipped with a rear-facing camera that can scan QR codes. For iPhones and iPads, a built-in QR code reader is included in the default Camera app. For Android devices, you need to download a QR reader app from the Google Play store.
Popular free QR reader apps for Android include:
- QR Code Reader
- QR Scanner
- Scan
To scan a QR code:
- Open your QR reader app or Camera app (iOS)
- Hold your smartphone camera up to the QR code so it’s clearly visible within the viewfinder
- Your phone will automatically scan the QR code and perform the action it encodes
That’s all there is to it! The process takes just a few seconds and is incredibly convenient for accessing digital information on the go.
How are QR Codes Generated?
QR codes are generated through QR encoder software or websites. The QR encoder takes the data (such as a URL, text, etc.) and uses an algorithm to convert it into an image made up of black and white pixel squares in a qr code pattern.
The QR code pattern itself contains three key components:
- Finder patterns – Used by scanners to orient and align the QR code
- Format information – Specifies parameters like encoding type, mask pattern, and error correction level
- Data – The actual encoded information represented in binary
Additional pixel squares in a QR code provide error correction capability to restore data if the code is partially damaged or dirty. The more error correction built into a QR code, the greater the loss of data it can withstand.
Once the QR encoder has converted the input data to a QR code through this encoding process, the QR code image can be printed or digitally distributed. When scanned later, the decoding process reverses the steps to extract the original information.
Dynamic vs. Static QR Codes
QR codes can be either dynamic or static:
- Dynamic QR codes – The encoded information can be changed and updated over time without altering the QR code image. For example, dynamic QR codes are useful for tracking pages.
- Static QR codes – The QR code image contains fixed information that cannot be updated. For example, QR codes on business cards or print ads.
How to Create a QR Code in 3 Simple Steps
Creating your own QR code is easy and free using dozens of online QR code generator sites. You don’t need to download any apps or software – the entire process happens through your web browser.
Follow these simple steps to create a QR code in just a few minutes:
Step 1. Find an Online QR Code Generator
Search Google for “QR code generator” and you’ll see tons of free options. Many allow you to create QR codes without registering for an account. Some popular generators include:
- QRCodeMonkey
- goQR.me
- Unitag
- qrcode-monkey.com
Look for a generator site that is simple, clean, and easy to use. The best ones don’t require you to create an account.
Step 2. Enter Your QR Code Data
Once you’ve selected a QR code generator site, you simply need to enter the information you want encoded. This can include:
- Website URL
- Block of text
- Contact information (vCard)
- Email address
- Phone number
- Event details
- WiFi login information
- PDF document
- Social media profiles
- Geo-location
Most generators make this really easy with user-friendly data entry forms. Many even auto-detect the type of data you enter, such as recognizing a web URL versus plain text.
You’ll also be able to customize settings like image size, color, error correction level, image file type (such as PNG, SVG, EPS), and more depending on the capabilities of the generator site.
Step 3. Download Your QR Code
After entering your data and customizations, simply click “Generate QR Code” or something similar. The website will immediately generate and display your new QR code.
To save the QR code image, right click it and choose “Save image as”. Save the file to your computer or device. Some sites may also allow you to download the image directly.
And that’s it – you now have a QR code image ready to print and use anywhere you need. Most generator sites also allow you to log back into your account to update, recreate, or download your QR codes anytime.
Tips for Creating Better QR Codes
Follow these tips for making effective QR codes that provide a great scanning experience:
- Make the code a reasonable size – Too small and scanners may not read it, but too big takes up unnecessary space. 1 to 2 inches is a good target.
- Give the code plenty of whitespace – QR codes need empty quiet zone margins to be readable. Don’t cram the code in a corner.
- Use a high resolution – A sharp image allows accurate scanning. Generate the code at 300dpi or higher.
- Pick contrasting colors – Stick with black code modules on a white background for best results.
- Add a logo or branding – As long as you don’t obscure the code, a logo makes your QR codes look professional.
- Label it – Text letting users know to scan the code removes confusion.
- Test it – Double check that your QR code actually scans and works as intended.
QR Code Use Cases
Because QR codes are so versatile, the ways to use them are nearly endless. Here are some of the most popular QR code use cases:
Business Cards
Include a QR code on your business card that links to your website, social profiles, contact form, digital business card, or other useful info to share with new contacts.
Product Packaging
Print a QR code on product packaging that links to product information, support pages, tutorials, or videos to engage customers.
Advertisements
Put QR codes in print, TV, or outdoor ads that allow viewers to instantly visit your site for more information or promotions.
Event Promotion
Share event details like lineups, schedules, maps, vendors, and more through a QR code on flyers or signage.
Education
QR codes in classrooms or textbooks can link students to digital learning content, videos, quizzes, and other study aids.
Real Estate
Realtors can enable home buyers or renters to instantly view property details, photo galleries, or scheduling by scanning a QR code on signs or brochures.
Restaurants
Diners can scan a QR code on menus, tables, or receipts to browse menu options, order and pay, call the waiter, view nutritional info, fill out surveys, enroll in loyalty programs, and more.
Conclusion
With the widespread adoption of smartphones, QR code usage has exploded in recent years. Virtually any piece of printed material can now become an instant gateway to the digital world. QR codes empower businesses to connect with customers in new ways, promote brands, share information, drive traffic to websites, boost engagement, and collect data.
Best of all, you don’t need any technical skills, design experience, or apps to create QR codes. Within minutes, free QR code generator sites allow anyone to make customized QR codes tailored to their specific needs.
So experiment with ways QR codes could add value to your business cards, signage, ads, products, events, and more. Used creatively, QR codes can open up new opportunities to engage with customers and provide an enhanced user experience.
Whenever you need to bridge the gap between print and digital, turn to the power, convenience and versatility of QR codes.
